Photo: Cville Pride
Despite a nationwide decrease in corporate support for Pride events, local celebrations will feature more vendors than ever before, according to Nick Hutchins, president of Charlottesville Pride. Nearly 80 vendors will be at the 2025 event—which kicks off at 12:30pm on Saturday, September 6, at the Ting Pavilion.
“This festival … has just seen such phenomenal … support from the local business community, from attendees, and from everyone,” says Hutchins.
Amid a turbulent political environment, Hutchins says it’s important to not only continue hosting Pride, but for community members to continue having pride.
“It is incumbent upon us as Cville Pride, and incumbent upon us as Charlottesville and the wider community, to continue showing up; to not live in a state of worry about what could happen,” he says. “[We must] follow the example of all of the people who came before us that used Pride, [who] used gathering together to create a sense of solidarity and community and safety. … To not go into the shadows, but continue to stand right in the middle of the street.”
This year’s festival is family-friendly and open to the public with free admission. Entertainment will include a “Pride-a-palooza” lineup and 10 drag performances.
